The Reading Teacher Endorsement is designed for teachers who teach reading in a setting other than a self-contained classroom.
The endorsement requires 21 semester hours of credit with coursework in the following areas:
- Foundations of reading
- Content area reading
- Assessment and diagnosis of reading problems
- Developmental and remedial reading instruction and support
- Developmental and remedial materials and resources
- Literature appropriate to students across all grade ranges
- Reading practicum (at the level of your licensure band)
Candidates must successfully pass the Reading Teacher (222) or Reading Specialist (221) test.
The endorsement is added to the existing PEL.
Program Goals
Deep understanding of reading and reading instruction; understands how to diagnose reading disabilities and how to teach and support the education of students with reading disabilities; participates in curriculum design and implementation; communicates and works with the public and other professionals; and has high professional standards.
Courses
The courses are 3 credits each and generally delivered in the following sequence:
- LTRE 500—Improvement of Reading in the Elementary School
- LTRE 505—Teaching Reading in the Middle School
- LTRE 511—Content Area Reading
- LTRE 520—Diagnosis and Treatment of Reading Difficulties
- LTRE 530—Practicum in Diagnosis of Reading Difficulties
- LTRE 531—Practicum in Problems of Teaching Reading
A 3-credit hour children's literature course will also be required if one has not already been previously taken.
For more information about the program, contact Nick Slicer at nslicer@niu.edu.